English-Speaking Attorneys

Garrett Balabon is part of the team at The Law Offices of Michael F. Mahoney, committed to achieving the best outcomes for clients.

As the founder and Managing Partner of Tollinchi Law, P.A., Mariel Tollinchi leads her practice with a sharp focus on personal injury, car accidents, and condominium and homeowners association law. She is committed to providing exceptional, client-centered legal representation that delivers superior results. Mariel is known for her unwavering dedication, meticulous attention to detail, and integrity-driven approach. She is recognized as one of the top legal advocates in the community, with years of experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Attorney Tollinchi bridges cultural and language barriers. Before becoming an attorney, she spent nearly a decade as a law clerk for leading personal injury firms, gaining invaluable experience. She is also actively involved in the community as a Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity member and a volunteer for organizations providing free immigration legal services.

Meily Perez, Esq.

Miami, FL

Meily Perez is a Florida attorney dedicated to protecting the rights of homeowners and policyholders in property insurance disputes. Meily’s practice has always focused on first-party insurance claims, helping clients recover when their homes and businesses suffer damage from hurricanes, water losses, fires, and other covered events. Known for her persistence and attention to detail, Meily guides clients through every stage of the claims process, from initial dispute to litigation, ensuring they have a strong advocate against powerful insurance carriers.

Matthew R. Morian

Jasper, TX

Matthew R. Morian was born in Jasper, Texas, on September 23, 1994. He was admitted to the Texas bar in 2020 and is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas. He received his B.S. from Sam Houston State University in 2016 and his J.D. from Baylor Law School in 2019.

Alexandra R. Bisesi

New City, NY

Alexandra R. Bisesi specializes in matrimonial and family law across Rockland, Westchester, Orange, and Bronx Counties. She serves on the Board of Governors for the Hudson Valley Hispanic Bar Association, the Board of Directors for the Independent Office of Assigned Counsel, the Board for Yonkers Lawyers Association, and 100 Hispanic Women - Westchester Program. With a passion for client involvement, she brings energy, enthusiasm, and practical knowledge to her cases, focusing on achieving client objectives through thorough preparation, attention to detail, and passionate advocacy.

Gregory J. Fischer

Pittsburgh, PA

Gregory J. Fischer is certified as a specialist in the practice of workers’ compensation law by the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Section on Workers’ Compensation Law as authorized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, having been in the very first group of attorneys in the state to attain that certification in March 2013, and maintaining that certification since then. Mr. Fischer is the chair of the workers’ compensation practice group at Summers, McDonnell, Hudock, Guthrie and Rauch. Mr. Fischer has over 24 years of experience defending employers and insurers in all aspects of Pennsylvania workers’ compensation litigation. This includes both trial and appellate level work up to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, having primarily focused on this practice throughout his career. He also has experience representing employers and insurers in Federal Black Lung litigation. Mr. Fischer has served multiple terms as a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Section Council, serving as an at-large member. He is also a member of the planning committee for the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s Workers’ Compensation Bureau Conference and has served on the committee since 2015, working with representatives from all facets of the workers’ compensation community to develop the program for the bureau conference. Mr. Fischer has also served as a panelist and moderator for certain sessions at the Bureau conference, concerning topics relevant to the workers’ compensation insurance industry. He has also served for several years on the planning committee for the Western PA Workers’ Compensation Section Golf Outing, which is the section’s largest charitable event, benefiting Kids’ Chance of Pennsylvania. Mr. Fischer is a 2000 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, having also obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1997. He is licensed in both Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and regularly practices workers’ compensation law in both states.

Sarah N. Gloates Horta

Ridgewood, NJ

Sarah N. Gloates Horta, Esq., is a senior Of Counsel attorney with the Aretsky Law Group, P.C. representing clients with matrimonial & family law matters. She was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico and is fluent in both Spanish and English. In 2010, she graduated from The Pennsylvania State University and earned a Bachelors of Science in Crime, Law & Justice. Thereafter in 2013, she received her Juris Doctorate degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. Sarah externed for the Honorable Bonnie J. Mizdol, (Ret.) A.J.S.C. while Her Honor was the Presiding Judge for the Family Part in Bergen County. Upon graduating from law school, she joined The Radol Law Firm in Englewood and Englewood Cliffs for many years. During that time, Sarah ascended from an associate to the firm’s Family Division Managing Partner. In 2020, she established The Law Offices of Sarah N. Gloates Horta, Esq., L.L.C. in Hackensack, N.J. Sarah has devoted her practice to Matrimonial and Family Law matters.

Shant Chakerian

Burbank, CA

Shant H. Chakerian is a founding partner of KCNS Law Group, LLP. He began his legal career as a law clerk for the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office, then practiced construction litigation and insurance defense before co-founding KCNS Law Group. He represents clients in work-related and personal injuries, catastrophic injuries, death cases, and family law matters.

Kayla Campbell

Dobson, NC

Kayla Campbell, from Boonville, NC, was inspired by her great-grandfather's legal career. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Salem College with a Spanish major, earned a Master's from Wake Forest University, and a Juris Doctor from Elon University School of Law in 2017. Fluent in Spanish, she is licensed in North Carolina and the District of Columbia, and is a member of SALSA.

Kristopher Smith

Phoenix, AZ

Kris graduated from Arizona Summit Law School in 2013 and is licensed to practice law in Arizona and in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. He has seven years of experience litigating insurance defense cases.

Erika Lezama-Simonson

Wildwood, NJ

Erika Lezama-Simonson focuses her practice on condominium law, land use and zoning, real estate transactions, business formations, estate planning and estate litigation. She is a compassionate advocate fluent in Spanish and English, representing individuals of Spanish-speaking backgrounds. In 2023, she and Mr. Barry achieved a $4 million dollar verdict, the highest ever awarded in Cape May County. She is barred in New Jersey and the Federal District Court of New Jersey, and is active in the Cape May Bar Association, Hispanic Bar Association, and New Jersey Association for Justice.

Prior to joining The Dunk Law Firm, Christina’s diverse professional history included serving as a Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigator with The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services investigating allegations of abuse and neglect of children in Harris County, Texas. She also worked at one of the largest creditor law firms exclusively representing financial institutions in the area of the consumer debt collection. Christina received her Juris Doctor degree, Cum Laude, from Thurgood Marshall School of Law and her bachelor’s degree, Cum Laude, in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University. While in Law School Christina journeyed abroad to study International Law at Queen Mary’s University in London England including stints in Paris, Spain, The International Courts of Justice in Amsterdam, and Rome. Once back in the United States, Christina served as a Student Attorney in the Thurgood Marshall Family Law Legal Clinic representing low-income clients as well as completing an externship with The Harris County Attorney’s Office in their Child Protective Division.

Scott joined McCollum Crowley in 2009 after completing his law school studies at Hamline University. He is a ’96 graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College where he majored in Criminal Justice and Political Science. After Gustavus, Scott attended Michigan State University and obtained a Master’s Degree in Social Sciences - Criminal Justice. After spending some time working in the criminal justice field, Scott-like most insurance professionals-somehow found his calling in the insurance field. In the late ‘90s, Scott began working as a Workers’ Compensation Claims Examiner for Wausau Insurance Companies. Since then, he has also worked for Westfield Insurance Group and Risk Administration Services. Scott feels his ten years of experience as a workers’ compensation adjuster allows him to connect with his clients on a level other attorneys cannot; he can certainly relate to the stresses and pressures of workers’ compensation claims adjusting and the many obstacles-both internally and externally-that need to be overcome. As an attorney, he enjoys problem solving with his clients and finding cost-effective solutions that best meet his clients’ needs.

Tamara A. Pérez Cantalapiedra

Kent, WA

Tamara A. Pérez Cantalapiedra is an associate attorney exclusively practicing immigration law, handling family-based immigration, U-visas, T-visas, VAWAs, waiver applications, and removal defense. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, she is fluent in Spanish and English, and has improved her French. She received her J.D. from Boston College Law School in 2024 and is an active member of AILA.

Nicole Vellojin

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nicole, who prefers to go by Nikki, is one of the dedicated legal assistants at Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers. Nikki is a graduate of Florida International University with her Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice. In addition to her administrative prowess, her commitment significantly contributes to the firm’s success in providing exceptional legal support to all of our clients. Apart from work, Nikki also enjoys going to the gym, trying new restaurants and simply just kicking back, relaxing and watching some Netflix! She is also fluent in both English and Spanish.

Adam J. Russo

Mt. Pleasant, SC

Adam Russo, born in Connecticut and raised in the low country of South Carolina, attended the College of Charleston and completed his legal education at St. Thomas University and Florida State. He clerked for the Florida Supreme Court. He previously served as a DUI prosecutor for the 14th Judicial Circuit and as a private defense attorney. He is a member of the National College for DUI Defense.

Anthony F. Santacroce

Hartford, CT

Anthony is a graduate of Quinnipiac School of Law and has been an attorney for over 30 years. He started his career as a plaintiffs' personal injury attorney at Solomon and Stanton in Meriden representing plaintiffs in personal injury matters and trials. He then worked at the Law Offices of Dahlmayer, Labiner and Santacroce as in- house counsel for Home Insurance Company, representing personal and commercial clients as defendants in personal injury lawsuits. His final position before joining in-house counsel for Nationwide Insurance was as Managing Trial Counsel for General Accident Insurance. As Managing Trial Counsel, he was in charge of the Connecticut trial office. Besides his administrative duties as manager, he maintained a full caseload and continued to do trial work. In 1989 he joined Nationwide Insurance as a senior trial attorney, in order to concentrate on trial work. In his 30+ year career with Nationwide, he has tried over 100 jury trials for both personal and commercial clients. He has also negotiated settlements on behalf of thousands of Nationwide clients. He has tried cases involving auto and boating accidents, including fatalities; dram shop (liquor liability); accidental drownings and fire legal liability for both commercial and personal clients. Some of his commercial clients were among the largest companies in the U.S. In addition to his trial practice, he brought many cases to successful conclusion utilizing arbitration and mediation hearings. Lastly, Anthony has been appointed to and has served as a Special Master in Hartford Superior Court for the past 20+ years. In that role, he has rendered written decisions in hundreds of cases that Hartford Superior Court has assigned him to adjudicate. After retiring from Nationwide, Anthony wanted to return to where he began his legal career in representing plaintiffs in personal injury matters. He is currently of counsel at Polinsky Law Group,LLC. He is involved in all aspects of litigation, including negotiating settlements and bringing cases to successful resolution by mediation, arbitration and trial.

Antonette Payne is an Of Counsel attorney born in Ft. Wayne, IN. She holds a BA in Sociology and an MA in Adult and Community Education from Ball State University, and a law degree from New York Law School. With over 15 years of experience, she is licensed in New York and Indiana, practicing in business, intellectual property, immigration, and social services disability law. She is proficient in English and Spanish. Antonette returned to Indiana in 2012 to raise her family and teaches legal studies and business law. She is actively involved in the community, serving on several boards including the Ft. Wayne Center for Nonviolence, Fort Wayne Mayor’s Opportunity Advisory Board, and Artlink in Ft. Wayne.

Stan Shnayder

Feasterville, PA

Stan Shnayder graduated from the Temple University in 2006 with degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice and earned his Jurist Doctorate Law Degree in 2010 from Western Michigan Law School. Mr. Shnayder has been with Kats, Jamison & Associates since 2010. Mr. Shnayder dedicates his practice to criminal law, family law and various aspects of civil litigation. He is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Mr. Shnayder is a devoted music fan and a die-hard fan of the Eagles, Flyers, 76’ers and Phillies, and attends as many concerts and sporting events as possible, including traveling extensively when needed.

Patrick B. Ford

Florence, SC

Patrick B. Ford is an attorney at Finklea, Hendrick & Blake, LLC, focusing on civil litigation, including business, probate, and real estate disputes, as well as corporate and business law, and worker's compensation claims. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2014 and double majored in Mathematics and Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2010. He was admitted to practice in Wisconsin in 2014 and South Carolina in 2016.

Ahmed Khalil, Esq. is the Founder and Managing Attorney at Khalil Law Group. Admitted to the California State Bar in June 2011, he gained experience defending individuals, employers, insurance companies, and third-party administrators. In 2015, he co-founded Distinct Law Group and later established Khalil Law Group, APC, dedicating his career to helping individuals and protecting their legal rights. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2010.

Edward Robbins

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Edward Robbins is Of Counsel at Stok Kon + Braverman, specializing in Real Estate transactions, Probate & Trust Administration, and Estate Planning. He received his J.D. from Cardozo School of Law in 1985 and has practiced in New York and Florida, with 35 years of experience in Estate and Trust Administration.

Elizabeth A. Clark

Waynesboro, PA

Elizabeth began practicing as an attorney in the complex litigation department of an insurance defense firm in Philadelphia. After a move to rural Alabama where she engaged in a general law practice, Elizabeth returned to Pennsylvania to practice business law, real estate, estate planning, estate administration, and orphan's court litigation. She is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and Maryland and joined DSS Law in 2012, becoming a partner.